CAUSES AND REASONS

By Karthika C

The legislative assembly election result day became as curious as a 20-20 match as the seat ratio became 70-70 at times. From the beginning itself there was no visible margin for any front.

UDF expected an easy win which it procured in last Parliament and local body election.  But this easy sweep through win has been hindered by the steps taken by the V.S. Achuthanandan government and V.S. personally.

L.D.F government’s last steps of RS 20 and signing Smart city agreement with Tecom increased  their winning possibility.

Also, when analyzing the statewide result, we can see that the Christian –Muslim minority consolidation voted for UDF. This fera of minority consolidation made majority to vote for udf and turned them against LDF

As usual, UDF candidate list was announced last, whereas, most of the LDF candidates and BJP candidates had finished first round of campaigning. It was at the last movement that a conscience was arrived at with Kerala congress(m) and JSS. This created  an image of bargaining politics for UDF.

Frankly, the entrance of :”import candidates” and nominees of rahulgandhi made an avaersion in the mondes of the veteran leadrs. Candidates like K.T. benny  came forward against internal politics in congress that made his defeat in Chalakkudy constituency. Again, congress leaders like M.M Hassan, K. Ramachandran  and T.Siddique didn’t fin d their space in the candidate list. K.ramachandran came openlty against the state congress leadership and Ramesh Chennithala personnaly when seat was rejected.

Besides, the candidateship of ramesh Chennithala made people confused about the Chief Minister candidate of UDF.  A speculation that there is an internal war between Omman Chandi and Ramesh Chennithala spread through media.

Another factor is that most o the impartial voters casted their vote for LDF thinking that if LDF comes into power V.S. would surely become the Chief Minister. For most of the Keralites  Achuthanandan evolved as a Crusader against corruption. Also, ldf  got the invisible support of SNDP because V.S. Achuthanandan , the self projected CM candidate of ldf  is from that community

When scrutinizing the election trend , it is obvious that V.S. factor worked out. He personnally took steps  against corruption which were evident in Idamalayar case and Lottery case. The supreme court  verdict  convicting R. Balakrisshnapillai in Idamalayar case became a setback for  udf. It created an assumption in the minds of the people that corruption will be widespread if udf comes into power.